Video 7: Inside the Lungs — Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key anatomical and physiological terms related to the lungs and breathing from Video 7: Inside the Lungs.

Lungs

Primary organs of the respiratory system where gas exchange occurs; they house air passageways and alveoli.

Trachea

Cartilaginous airway connected to the larynx that splits into the mainstem bronchi; 16–20 cartilage rings.

Mainstem bronchi

The two primary bronchi (one per lung) that branch from the trachea.

Right lung lobes

Three lobes: superior, middle, and inferior.

Left lung lobes

Two lobes: superior and inferior.

Lobar (secondary) bronchi

Bronchi that supply each lobe of a lung; Right has three, Left has two.

Terminal (tertiary) bronchi

Bronchi that supply each bronchopulmonary segment within a lobe.

Bronchioles

Small airways after the tertiary bronchi that lead to the alveolar region; no cartilage.

Alveolar ducts

Ducts that connect bronchioles to alveolar sacs; part of the gas-exchange zone.

Alveolar sacs

Clusters of alveoli gathered at the end of alveolar ducts where gas exchange occurs.

Alveolus

Tiny air-sac; the socket/cavity where gas exchange with capillaries happens.

Carina

Inferior end of the trachea where it splits into the right and left mainstem bronchi.

Bronchial tree

Branching system from the trachea through bronchi to bronchioles and alveoli.

Pleura

Double-layered membranes surrounding the lungs and lining the thoracic cavity.

Parietal pleura

Pleura lining the inner surface of the rib cage and thoracic wall.

Visceral pleura

Pleura covering the surface of the lungs.

Surfactant

Slippery fluid between pleural layers that reduces surface tension and aids lung expansion.

Mediastinum

The central thoracic space housing the heart, great vessels, and other structures.

Phrenic nerve

Nerve that innervates the diaphragm, essential for diaphragmatic breathing.

Apex

The top, most superior part of the lung.

Base

The inferior surface of the lung that rests on the diaphragm.

Diaphragmatic impression

Indentation on the lung surface where the diaphragm contacts it.

Cardiac impression

Indentation on the lung surface caused by the heart.

Horizontal fissure

Fissure that separates the right lung’s superior and middle lobes.

Oblique fissure

Fissure that separates the right and left lung lobes; also divides the left lung.

Right mainstem bronchus aspiration risk

A heavier material is more likely to enter the right bronchus due to its anatomy.

Alveolar capillaries

Capillary network surrounding each alveolus where gas exchange occurs.

300 million alveoli

Approximate number of alveoli in the lungs, providing vast surface area for gas exchange.

750 square feet surface area

Approximate total surface area of the lungs available for gas exchange.

Ventilation

Movement of air into and out of the respiratory tract.

Perfusion

Blood flow to the alveolar capillaries so that gas exchange can occur.

Diffusion

Movement of gases across the alveolar-capillary membrane (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out).

Gas exchange

Overall process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between air and blood.

Hyperventilation

Excessively rapid or deep breathing leading to reduced CO2 in blood.

Hypoventilation

Insufficient ventilation leading to increased CO2 in the blood.